Ind. battalion chief dies while visiting family

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Kevin Kolber, a battalion chief and 30-year veteran of the South Bend Fire Department, has died.

Kolber, 58, of South Bend, died on Tuesday while visiting family. He was appointed to the department on Jan. 21, 1987, and spent his entire career at the central fire station.

In the early 1990s, Kolber served as captain on Truck 1, and was promoted to battalion chief in 2003. Retired firefighter Tom Pennino, who attended rookie school with Kolber in 1987, said that Kolber was the type of leader who took care of his guys while also expecting a high level of performance from them, as well as from himself.

"He bled the fire department, and had a very high standard of how he expected his guys to serve the public," Pennino said. "He did not like to see that standard being lowered."

"He was a solid guy to work for."

The viewing will take place on Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Newton Center, 601 N Michigan St., Lakeville. A viewing also will be held at the Newton Center at 10 a.m. Saturday. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m.